OK, so I am in no way an expert on, well, anything. But I am a very practical runner and when I first started out there were blogs, articles and annoying people who claimed to be experts that got me really worried about stupid things. I wasted a great deal of time worrying about what “they” said I should or shouldn’t do and I believe it hampered my early days of running. Friends, we run to be free, so let us not be bound by convention and so called experts who truly only want to sell us things.

Things to NOT worry about at all:

1. Fashion. Wear what’s comfortable and what works for you. You’ll read snippets from time to time about “major” crimes against running fashion such as running with shorts over leggins, wearing a fanny pack, and some even come out with a snarky attitude towards running skirts. If I gave a tinkers darn what other people thought of what I looked like running, I would have never gotten out there. Please ignore any and all comments about what you should not wear as they pertain to fashion (see the should worry abouts for a few comments on things you should listen to about what you wear:).
2. Pace. You are not a slow runner. And I am not a slow runner. If you recently finished a race and it was the longest distance you’ve ever done and you’re really stinking proud of yourself, do not allow somebody to tell you that they finished a marathon in 3.5 hours and then shy away from telling them that it took you almost 6 hours to finish yours. First off, they may very well be lying to you, and secondly you are your own runner – you own every race you run and you’re only competing against yourself. Hold your head high be ye front, middle or back of the packer.
3. Skipping a run. I see A LOT of people hurt themselves when they try to squeeze in a run because it’s on their training plan even though they know darn well that their left foot/right inner thigh/lower back/center quad is really hurting and they need to rest. Listen to your body – missing one workout is not going to make you unable to finish the race. It really, really won’t. I promise. But if you run when you know your body is saying don’t and you get hurt? Yeah, no race for you. Please worry more about your body and less about your training schedule. Please.
4. Looking stupid. Please take this off your lists of things. This sort of goes along with number 1 but I think when it’s our first time out some of us (OK, me) worried so much about how we looked while running that we almost didn’t get out there at all. Runners are a great bunch – if you encounter someone faster and more experienced that glares at you they are most likely not real runners. Yes, I am changing the definition. Help me spread the word.

So what SHOULD you worry about???? OK, here’s my top 4:

1. That what you’re wearing works for the weather and it’s not cotton. Cotton is rotten. Invest in a good tech shirt and some running tights and a couple pairs of shorts or a running skirt and you’re good to go.
2. Chaffing. Buy Body Glide. Use Body Glide.
3. Nutrition. Your body needs great nutrition to support your great running self. Eat smart and refuel properly and you’ll be a much happier runner and you’ll live longer.:)
4.  Have realistic expectations. The quickest way to start running and then stop and never do it again is to start too fast and too far. It took me a long time to learn this – once I got over it and slowed down I got it. Yes, it took me 3 months to build up to running one mile. But it was a damn good mile. And that’s how long I needed – LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. (wait, did I already say that??)

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Get past all the nay saying, the self doubts, the stupid fashion advice, and the unnecessary shame. Get out there. Run. Run a block. Run a mile. Run a marathon. Thank God with each step that your body works, that your mind is clear and that you live in a country where it’s safe to run and you are free. That is all.

Up tomorrow for me? 18 miles!! Can’t wait! And I may very well be wearing shorts over my leggings. Get over it.